NIT Prices

Now that it is official that Syracuse is in the NIT, it is up to you as an SU fan to decide whether to catch this one in person or on ESPNU.

You know where I stand on this one. While I understand everyone can't possibly make it to the game, especially on short notice like this, I think if SU fans are going to stand up and call themselves the best fans in the nation after last year's NIT crowds, as Jim Boeheim did as well, than a concentrated effort has to be made to get as many people as possible in that building for the game.

Dennis Nett/The Post-StandardSyracuse's Paul Harris goes in for a dunk against San Diego State in second half action at the Carrier Dome in last year's NIT action

As I said in that linked post above, it was easy last year to grab your "Got Screwed" T-Shirt and head to the Dome because we were all ticked off at the snub by the NCAA Committee and everyone had a message to send.

This year will take a lot more self-motivation because we all knew deep down that Syracuse didn't have a very good chance of getting into the big dance this year. Plus, the first round opponent isn't exactly a household name as Robert Morris will tip it up with the Orange tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m.

Now, all that being said, what is Syracuse University doing to help the process to put butts in the seats? Let's take a look

Ticket Prices

$10 for adults
$5 for kids 12 and under.

I have no beef with those prices.

But just an FYI. If you buy tickets online on SUathletics.com, there is a $7 fee attached to your purchase. So if you are buying two tickets online, what you thought would be $20 is really $27.

Just an unfortunate fact of life there. I recently bought three Springsteen tickets and the fees were almost half the price of the tickets. I wish I were kidding.

I logged on at 1:45 p.m. to check availability for tickets online. I clicked two sections at random and found good seats in sections 114 and 213. The availability of good seats will obviously vary depending on what time you are reading this, but it was good to know they weren't all scooped up by season ticket holders and Orange Pack members.

Dennis Nett/The Post-StandardA long view of the crowd at the Carrier Dome during last year's SU-San Diego St NIT game

I got some emails from people that were ticked that season ticket holders and Orange Pack members got first dibs on the tickets. I didn't have a problem with that. If I spent the bucks for either (or both) of those things I would want first crack at the tickets as well.

Parking

$10

One word for that, Daryl.

W-E-A-K

$10? A bit much.

Lower it to $5. This game technically wasn't supposed to happen, right? Help out your customers here DG. Don't look at it as a chance to cash in.

Parking is on a first come, first serve basis in the stadium west lots and Manley Field House, so get there early.

Concessions

I would suggest some kind of break at the concession stands. I understand that some of that money goes to help charities and local groups. But, again, this game technically wasn't supposed to happen so what do you have to lose by doing a $1 hot dog special or something like that?

Isn't the point to get as many bodies in the building as possible?

As of this writing, I haven't heard of any promotions, giveaways, or things like that being done to get people there. If you hear of anything, maybe a local radio station is doing a contest, etc, drop me an email at the address below. I understand there won't be too much in this department because of the short window to plan something, but it would be nice to see someone make the effort.

In any case, I hope there is an effort by the fans to get there tomorrow night.

These kids fought their collective butts off all year and they deserve a rowdy crowd to help them get going and forget about the disappointment of missing the NCAA Tournament.

Remember, it was the NIT a year ago that caused self-proclamations of Syracuse fans being "the best fans in the country"